What does recommissioning mean?
Recommissioning means putting something back into active, authorized use or formally renewing a role or undertaking. The expression is especially common for ships, vehicles, machinery, facilities, and other equipment that have been withdrawn from service and are being prepared for operation again. It may also describe the renewed appointment of a person, such as a chair, commissioner, or committee member, or the restarting of an institution or project under a new formal mandate. Unlike the more general word “restart,” “recommissioning” retains the idea of official authorization and often implies a recognized procedure or ceremony. In ordinary conversation, it is appropriate when discussing institutional or operational matters but may sound unnecessarily technical or formal for everyday activities.
nounThe act of commissioning something or someone again, especially returning equipment to active service or granting renewed authorization. It can also refer to beginning an activity or project again under a new commission.
- The act of returning equipment, a vessel, vehicle, or facility to active service.
- The act of appointing or formally authorizing someone to perform a role again.
- The act of beginning or reopening an activity, project, or undertaking under a renewed commission.
"The old railway line is awaiting recommissioning after years of disuse."
"The navy plans to recommission the vessel after completing a major refurbishment."
"Following her election, she was recommissioned as chair of the committee."
Usually used as an uncountable noun; the plural form is uncommon and occurs chiefly in formal or technical writing.
"Several recommissionings of historic vessels are planned this year."
Recommissioning gives machinery or an institution a second working life, formally returning it to authorized service.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recommissioning come from?
“Recommissioning” is formed by adding the prefix re- to “commissioning,” with the prefix indicating that an act of commissioning is being performed again. “Commission” comes through French from Latin commissio, a sending or charge, and is related to “mission,” whose roots also derive from Latin. The compound “recommissioning” developed in the sense of returning equipment or a vessel to service and was later extended to renewed appointments and undertakings.
Related word forms
How recommissioning is actually used
The term is most common in institutional, military, maritime, and engineering contexts. It can sound formal or technical when used of equipment and is often slightly ceremonious when applied to a person or body.